In a powerful new documentary, Behind the Strikes, Sky News takes cameras behind the scenes of two of the biggest and most disruptive trade union industrial disputes of 2023, teachers and nurses.

The story is told through the lens of two astonishing women: Pat Cullen, the Royal College of Nursing’s General Secretary and Dr Mary Bousted, the National Education Union’s joint leader, following their emotional journey as they represent their predominantly female workforces who are losing pay every day they’re out on strike.

At a time when private sector pay growth has passed inflation, teachers will return to schools for another stretched year, nurses head into the pressures of winter and the country continues to navigate the cost-of-living crisis, the film encapsulates the realities behind the 8-month battle for better pay in a year that’s seen the biggest wave of industrial strikes in 30 years.

Cristina Nicolotti Squires, Director of Content for Sky News, said: “These industrial strikes mark some of the biggest walkouts this country has seen in recent times, but the public knows little about the people behind the news stories. Our cameras have captured the experiences of those involved, taking audiences on a journey that sees nurses crying on frozen picket lines to Pat Cullen receiving death threats from her own union members. It’s up to our viewers to decide who has really triumphed from these strikes.”

The documentary will air on Thursday 7 September at 8pm on Sky Documentaries and Sky Showcase and on Friday 8 September at 9pm on Sky News (Freeview channel 233, Sky 501, Virgin 603, BT 313).